“What happens when you get a tooth implant?”

The "implant" is like a root replacement. This needs to be placed into the bone first and given time to heal (about 3 months in lower jaw, 5-6 in upper), then the tooth portion of the procedure can be done, which takes 2 visits back with the dentist.

A dental implant will replace your missing tooth. It feels and functions the most naturally, but there are other options although with some drawbacks.

Dr. Frank P. Ramos

Your dentist will evaluate the site where the implant will go and decide what size implant is proper. The implant is surgically placed and a healing cap is screwed on over the implant. Healing time is typically 4 months before the implant can be restored. When it is ready to be restored, your dentist will scan or impress the implant and send it to a lab for an abutment and crown to go over the implant. Once it is back from the lab, it is screwed or cemented on to the implant. It is very important to have regular check ups. Even though an implant cannot get decay, it can get periodontal disease. It should be checked annually.


Good luck,

Jossi Stokes, DDS

The process of replacing a missing natural tooth with an implant involves multiple steps. First the available at the site needs to be evaluated and if inadequate, then augmented with a bone graft. When the bone is satisfactory, then a titanium cylinder termed she “fixture“ is inserted into the bone. Typically, the fixture is allowed to fuse or “integrate“ to the bone for several months, but in some situations, the fixture can be restored with a fabricated tooth immediately. However, when this is done the tooth cannot be used to chew for several months. Typically, the fixture isn’t restored with a crown for several months. The crown is fabricated by a dentist and his dental technician. It’s a complicated process, but when done properly, it is the closest replacement to nature.